The present perfect continuous tense shows an action that started in the past and is still continuing. It is formed with has been or have been and the ing form of the verb. Here are examples to help you practise. You can also read the grammar lessons on other topics to learn more rules.
Structure of Present Perfect Continuous Tense
The present perfect continuous tense shows actions that started in the past and are still going on. We make it with has been or have been and the ing form of the main verb. Use has been with he, she, and it. Use have been with I, you, we, and they. For example: I have been reading for two hours, and She has been cooking since morning. We often use for and since with this tense. For shows a length of time, and since shows a starting point. The negative form uses has not been or have not been.
Present Perfect Continuous Tense Examples
- I have been studying for three hours.
- She has been cooking since morning.
- He has been playing cricket since 4 o’clock.
- We have been waiting for the bus for an hour.
- They have been living in this house for ten years.
- It has been raining since last night.
- The children have been making a noise for an hour.
- I have been working on this project since Monday.
- My mother has been reading the newspaper for half an hour.
- The birds have been flying in the sky since sunrise.
- You have been talking on the phone for a long time.
- She has been learning English for two years.
- He has been sleeping since 9 o’clock.
- We have been planting trees since morning.
- The farmers have been working in the field since dawn.
- I have been feeling tired all day.
- They have been watching television for two hours.
- My father has been driving since morning.
- The baby has been crying for ten minutes.
- We have been playing football since the afternoon.
- I have been writing my homework for an hour.
- She has been practising the piano since June.
- He has been looking for his keys since morning.
- The dogs have been barking for a long time.
- I have not been sleeping well since last week.
- She has not been feeling well for two days.
- They have not been coming here since Monday.
- We have not been eating junk food for a month.
- Have you been waiting for a long time?
- Has she been studying for the exam?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the present perfect continuous tense?
The present perfect continuous tense shows an action that started in the past and is still continuing, like I have been studying for two hours.
How is the present perfect continuous tense formed?
It is formed with has been or have been and the ing form of the verb.
When do we use for and since?
We use for with a length of time, like for two hours, and since with a starting point, like since morning.